Recent technological innovation is producing new products and services in nearly every field.
Wound care is no different with several new products emerging to treat patients with pressure ulcers, deep tissue injuries and other wounds. Dressings now actively promote healing and maintaining an active moist wound bed. Improvements in dressings are only a tiny part of technology’s war on wounds.
Negative pressure wound therapy has been shown to promote healing at a cellular level. Studies confirm that growth factors provide beneficial effects. PDGF and EGF are currently the only topical growth factors approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic wounds.
Biologically active skin substitutes are another innovation to assist healthcare professionals in treating wounds. The skin substitutes have been used to protect the wound from fluid loss, to fight off infections and in some case provide materials needed for healing to occur
One final innovation that bears mentioning is topical collagen products, which improve wound healing by supporting new tissue growth and attracting wound healing cells to the damaged area.
The fight against wounds remains an ongoing battle, but recent wound care advances provide healthcare professionals with more weapons than ever before.
